There are a lot of people wondering if Sookie is fully aware of what the bond entails, so I wrote this chapter to make sure that she and Eric are on the same page. Or are they?

Chapter 38: Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Sookie

Sookie woke up and began to roll onto her back, but found she couldn't. Eric had her pinned to his chest and she then knew she would have to lecture him on trapping her in bed with him. It was lucky she had good control of her bladder as she struggled against his iron grip.

Sookie covered Eric with the blankets and kissed his cheek before heading into the bathroom and washing her face and brushing her teeth. She then moved to the bedroom. Eric had told Bill that her clothing would be here, but there were no suitcases or luggage anywhere. Sookie walked to what looked like a closet in the bedroom to double check and gasped when she saw another room attached to the one she was in.

The room was usually used for a bedroom, but apparently Pam had the hotel convert it into a dressing room for her and Eric. It was huge. There were free standing racks of clothes holding all the outfits that had been modeled. She noticed there were also large large baroque tables holding jewelry, and by jewelry she meant precious gems, including sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and diamonds along with gold, platinum, and even silver chains.

Sookie shook her head. Pam would think this was necessary. Sookie decided she needed to get ready for the day. Her hair was a mess since she had fallen asleep with it wet. She pinned up her hair and went to the shower and quickly rinsed and scrubbed up before climbing out.

She wrapped herself in a towel and went to the makeshift closet and walked to where there was a table filled with men and women's toiletries. She looked at Eric's things and noticed there was no cologne. So that scent was just him. That Arctic Ocean scent was his. Sookie went back to her own things and grabbed a big bottle of lotion.

She moisturized and then looked for where Pam might have put her underwear. She looked everywhere in the wardrobe room, but couldn't find any. If Pam didn't pack her any underwear as a joke, Sookie would be pissed. She was not walking around this hotel pantyless.

Sookie went to the bedroom and blushed as she looked at the dresser she had…Sookie flushed even thinking about it and glanced at Eric as she remembered his look of wild lust as he worked himself with her.

Sookie then remembered! The dresser. She walked over to it and slid open the top drawer to find underwear. Expensive underwear. La Perla. Sookie selected a similar pair to the nude ones she had worn yesterday and moved back inside the other room.

She grabbed a professional outfit. There were flattering white wide leg trouser, with a black blouse with white polka dots. Sookie laid the outfit out and moved to the vanity and began straightening her hair. She grabbed the makeup and again did the best she could with it.

Sookie walked to the full length mirror and examined her work as she slipped on the clothing. She went to a shoe rack and grabbed a pair of red pointy toe Manolo Blahnik's and looked herself over. She grabbed a pair of stud ruby earrings. She twisted half her hair back away from her face to show them off and decided she was ready.

It was good too, because Eric would rise soon. Since he went to day rest late, it seemed he had slept later than usual.

As Sookie applied a gloss over her ruby red lips she heard him enter the closet in search for her and looked her over. She held her palms up and spun, silently asking if the outfit was okay.

Eric remained still for a moment and cocked his head to the side. "Yes, Sookie. You look perfect. And, may I say, I love that shade of ruby on your lips."

She smirked and said, "I am gonna go downstairs and grab something to eat while you get ready," she said as she threw her cell phone and a spare room key in a plain black clutch along with her lipstick, gloss, and a $20 bill.

He stepped in front of her and shook his head. "No, Sookie, I promised to stay by your side the moment we arrived her. You may eat food in the room or go with me when I am ready."

Sookie lifted her eyebrows in shock. When did Eric decided it was okay to tell her what she may and may not do?

She was pissed and threw her clutch back down on a ridiculous chaise lounge. Honestly, who was getting ready for the day and got suddenly so tired they needed a fancy sofa to recover? "That's what I may do? Well, thank you Eric. Thanks so much for that, because I didn't know what I could and couldn't do."

She was raring up and her temper was flaring, but Eric was aloof and nodded his head as if he was accepting her thank you. Oh my God, Sookie realized, He totally is! He thinks I am actually grateful for outlining what he thinks I can and can't do!

Sookie stormed out of the room and into the main living area. She began to head to the main door, but Eric stood in front of her, blocking her way. "Sookie, I told you no."

Sookie's mouth dropped open in shock and she was literally reeling. He wasn't serious. She opened up their bond and she felt for his end. He was serious. He was getting frustrated and angry. But what Sookie mainly found was worry.

She needed to calm down. This was coming from a place of concern and love she told herself. She needed to let Eric explain and talk to him about this. It may be the way vampires did things, but she was no vampire, and wouldn't accept it even if she was.

She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. She held it for a few seconds and then exhaled out. She then opened her eyes and Eric was looking at her curiously.

"Eric, come on let's talk. But first, go get pants on."

He looked between her and the door and she smirked, "I am not gonna make a run for it. I swear."

He nodded once and ran to the room, returning in seconds with a pair of navy blue track pants on.

Sookie sat on the couch and asked Eric to sit with her. He complied and walked to the couch and sat with his elbows on his knees waiting for her to lose it, she thought. She was close to it, but she needed to learn to control her temper.

"Eric, I am sorry. I did say I would wait to go anywhere with you. I just didn't know you were gonna be takin' that so seriously," she began. He leaned back and looked at her, "Of course I was serious. I am always serious when it comes to you and your safety."

She nodded her head and replied, "I know. But Eric, you cannot act like you own or can control me. I am not a child or a pet and refuse to be treated like one."

Eric looked away and he was in deep thought, "I do own you though. You are mine. I don't think that means I treat you like a pet or a child. You are my bonded."

Sookie grit her teeth, praying to God that he/she give her patience. "Eric, are you gonna listen to everythin' I tell you to do? I technically own you too if that is what it means to be bonded."

"Sookie, it's different and you know it."

"No, argh, Eric it is no different. Can't you see why I am frustrated here? I thought you respected me enough to be my own person and make my own decisions while bein' with you. I thought that you loved me enough to not put me in a cage."

Eric stood suddenly and paced, "You think I am putting you in a cage? That I don't respect you! I am merely trying to protect you."

"Eric, do you know who you remind me of right now. Bill. All he did was try to 'protect me', but it was his excuse for controllin' me. Look, if you disagree with me about a decision I am makin', then I will listen to any argument or concern you raise and will take it into consideration before I make my decision final. Why? Because I respect your opinion and I know whatever decision I make affects you. Can't it be the same way with me for you?"

Eric was still pacing and she could feel he was agitated, confused, and pissed. "I don't think it can," he grumbled out quietly.

Sookie stood, refusing to be lower than him at a time like this, and said, "Then I am sorry, but I can't be bonded to you or pledge myself to you. I guess I thought you were different."

She turned away and her eyes watered as she looked around the beautiful room. She slowly walked to the window, gazing out over the city lights. She couldn't budge on this, so hopefully Eric would meet her halfway. Her mind whirred about what she was going to do if Eric said no.

She would need to find Lafayette or that Amelia girl. She would need to break the bond, though the mere thought made her feel physically ill. She would need to call Jason to come out here and on her dime too. She would need to (gulp) go to Bill and tell him she would need a separate room if he expected her to stay.

She would need to then find fucking happiness in a dark and depressing world without Eric. Her heart began to break slowly, and she didn't even have his answer yet.

She was panicking and pain was spiraling through her. She then felt hands on her shoulder that spun her around. "No Sookie, I will not let you cast me aside. We are bonded. I love you, and respect you. I only am forceful with you when it comes to your safety and I won't apologize for it. I do understand where you are frustrated and from now on I will attempt to talk things through with you if that is what you expect of me as a bonded, but you need to understand that I am not human and what I have said always goes. Please, Sookie try to understand."

She wanted to give in, but she needed the words from him. "Are you trying to own or control me Eric? I will not be made to feel like a thing that can be owned. I got enough of it when I was with Bill and then again with the Fae. I am your bonded and that means that I have to be your equal."

"I promise I am not trying to control or own you. I love you," he finished softly. His eyes were soft but Sookie saw in the corner red tears. She broke and flung her arms around him. "Thank you, Eric," she whispered.

He buried his face in between her neck and shoulder and Sookie held on to him as if she was drowning and he was a life raft. He pulled away and gave her a quick, but thorough kiss and slowly set her down.

"Now, either let me get dressed so I can feed you or order something to be brought here. Please. The Summit is dangerous, Sookie, which is why I stipulated you are to be with me at all times. Others may try to kill you, kidnap you, or do much worse and one of them is king of Louisiana. I don't trust anyone but you and Pam."

She nodded, willing to meet him halfway because he was meeting her there. Sookie walked to the phone and grabbed the menu. She looked at her options and selected a steak and potatoes dinner and a pot of black coffee. It was going to be a long night.

Okay, up next. Sookie in action at the Summit! Good night my lovely readers! Tell me what you thought so I can wake up to an inbox of reviews!